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Dutch Burgers and Frites

I’ll admit it: I like burgers.

Ever since the day I could fit one in my mouth, hamburgers have taken on a steady role in my repertoire of things to order. Of course that list has expanded immensely since, but if all else fails, the burger is still my standby. So, needless to say, I had to try one in Amsterdam.

But now that I have, I’m sticking to American burgers. It’s a good thing this waited until one of my last days in Amsterdam because as soon as I took a bite out of that thing I knew I could never live in Holland for an extended period of time.

I’m sorry to say, but they’re just too salty! I like to get my flavor from the condiments (er one condiment – ketchup), not the actual burger. And I suppose it doesn’t help when at the same time as trying to throw one of these back, you have to monitor your water consumption. I could have drank about 8 bottles of water with that burger but my wallet couldn’t afford that, so I suffered. And ate the fries instead.

And speaking of fries, you can’t really say you’ve tried true frites until you’ve had them served in a cone topped with mayo from a street vendor.

I read ALL about the fries in cones and knew I would have to get them, but I’ll be honest – at first it wasn’t easy to find them. But eventually we came across some locals indulging in a midnight snack and asked where to find the nearest cone-contained fries vendor. They directed us to: Chipsy King.

It wasn’t at all what I was picturing – yes, it was on the street, but it had a storefront! That took away some of the fun, but in the end I still ate up the novelty of the situation, and had some tasty fries to boot.

The situation in Antwerp, however, was much more of what I was picturing. We went to the grotemarket (Great Market) where there were booths upon booths serving all sorts of drinks, food, and frites in a cone. It was sort of like a Taste of Antwerp (read: Taste of Chicago) except that virtually everyone was serving the exact same thing.

So to wrap up my seriesoftravel-inspiredposts, let me just say it’s good to be home and back in America. Yes I did enjoy my time in the Netherlands, as well as Belgium, and yes I am dying to travel much much more, but it’s good to return to the land where the water is free and the burgers aren’t salty.

Thank you for reading and reliving my trip with me – it has certainly been a blast.

P.S. A very big thank you to Stef at the Cupcake Project for tagging me in this meme, but just like she did, I’m going to opt out of publicly answering the questionnaire for the sake of sparing my readers extra boredom.

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on Wednesday, January 9th, 2008 at 10:17 am and is filed under burgers, travel.
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http://onefoodguy.blogspot.com one food guy

A cone of french fries is something special indeed! I have fond memories of getting fish and chips served in a newspaper cone that last time I was in London. And Chipsy King, what a cool name!!

http://www.whatdidyoueat.typepad.com sher

I’m totally with you on the hamburgers. I love them, and search to find a great one. Glad the fries were good. Another great food item. Love your blog, by the way.

JDebs

I would like to point out that it doesn’t look like there was any mayo on your fry cone, Hillary! I hope to see a Chipsy King on the streets of Chicago one day soon! Maybe I should open one…

http://www.recipe4living.com Hillary

One Food Guy – Haha we were very entertained by the name. As you can see, JDebs wants to open one up in Chicago!

Sher – Thanks! Burgers just never get old, am I right?

JDebs – way to call me out on the ketchup! I’m the one who actually TRIED the mayo though, just not in this picture. I don’t see ANY topping on your fries! :) Oh and by the way, I’ll totally open a Chipsy King with you!

http://www.plentyoffood.net Sorina

This looks so delicious. I am looking forward more posts from you!

http://www.blogsmonroe.com/food/ LunaPierCook

I think the reason you may not have enjoyed that burger is that, here in the U.S., we’re used to corn-fed beef. We may season it a bit, but grass-fed beef seems to have less flavor and tends to be more heavily seasoned.

That’s what I think anyway. I could be wrong. ;-)

http://www.recipe4living.com Hillary

Luna Pier Cook – thanks for the insight. You could be right!

laizydaiz

I’m totally with JDeb and Sher. I’m on your bandwagon and would luv to open a Chipsy King in NJ

laizydaiz

I’m totally with JDeb and Sher and would luv to open a Chipsy King in NJ

Emily

Hillary: I’ve been to Amsterdam a few times and have had a burger or two. Perhaps it was the chef that over salted/seasoned your burger and not Amsterdam at fault, for the pubs I had them in were great. As far as finding chips, well I don’t know where you were, but I found chip shops nearly on every corner. Some were pretty nondescript, but all in all they are not that hard to find. I am glad you did get to try them though for they are wonderful, as is the city.

Cindy

The first time I had a so called hamburger in the Netherlands (my husband is from there) I spit it out and asked if this was REAL MEAT!! It was AWFUL! I will NEVER eat another burger there again (except if it is at a McDonald’s)…Give me the AMERICAN hamburger…..The Frites were good! Especially when served with the mayo…

http://www.recipe4living.com Hillary

laizydaz – Excellent! When shall we meet? :)

Emily – It could be the chef’s fault but it had a familiar taste that I associated with Dutch burgers so that may have solidified my dislike. I am no food critic though so no one has to take my word for it.

Cindy – glad to see someone agrees with me!

http://inmylife-paola.blogspot.com/ Paola

Hmmm, that sounds like a nasty burger! Can you believe I’ve lived here for over ten years and I’ve never had a burger?!I guess I’ve been spared! The fries are delicious though!

paola

Charles

I am looking for a recipe called a dutch burger. I remember getting this burger at a restaurant in Columbus IN named Kitsingers. I believe it was made with braunswager and other ingredients unknown to anyone else. The story goes that Mr Kitsinger took the recipe to the grave with him. I thought someone might know what the recipe is.

bill Murray

The best burger that I have had was in Amsterdam. It takes a few months to find the places that serve them , but they come from late night shops. These are small stores that are open late at night and serve fast food. The burgers that I remember were small, with a ground up steak tartar (very rare) embellished with dutch mayonnaise and ketchup with a pickle. The closest thing that we have in California to it is the In and Out burger. Small,
finely hand-crafted, fresh ingredients – but not as rare.
Burgers – like a cup of coffee- maybe smaller in Holland – but invariably are of a superior quality